Madelyn LeClaire

Italy: Update #1

When I say that Rome is beautiful, I mean it! The historical aspect is so amazing. When you walk through the streets, you are completely immersed in culture. While we were there, we were able to tour and spend time walking and enjoying the city. It was awesome. It really helped me connected with the people (my new friends!) I will be staying with for the entire time I will be in Italy.

But… Nothing can compare to Verona. It is possibly the most beautiful city I have ever seen. We were able to go to a lookout point and view the city. It. Was. Breathtaking. I was literally speechless. I could not put into words just how beautiful it is.

Speaking of words, I have learned a few words/phrases in Italian, and thank God I took Spanish! It is very similar. (At least I know how to ask where the bathroom is…) I have a few apps on my phone and friends helping me along the way. It is so awesome to come here, know nothing, and slowly learn how to communicate with others!

Later, we went to the site we will be teaching the English camp at with the non-profit, Ultimate Xchange, and it made me so excited! I cannot wait to meet these kids! It is going to be so awesome, and I am so excited to see what God has in store for a small girl from Tennessee.

I ask that you would pray for me, for my heart, for my team, and for their hearts. These next few weeks are going to be rough, but super fun. I ask that you pray that even when we are tired we remember God’s grace. I ask that you pray and ask God to remind us that even when we are discouraged we do not lose heart… that we remember we have a faithful God who brought us here for a reason.

While typing this, I am reminded of:

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40:30-31

(Please, pray that we are reminded of this daily!!)

I cannot wait to update you all on this camp. I know it’ll be hard, but it’ll be SO fun and SO worth it! I will try to update frequently with posts, blogs, and pictures. Thank you all for your continuous prayers. You have no idea how much it means to me.